Watch The Snow Queen

In 1957, the Soviet Union released an animated movie called The Snow Queen, based on the fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen. Directed by Lev Atamanov, the film revolves around a young girl named Gerda, who embarks on a perilous journey to rescue her friend, Kai, from the clutches of the Snow Queen. The story begins with Gerda and Kai living in a Scandinavian village, where they spend their days playing together and weaving stories. One day, a fragment of a magic mirror falls into Kai's eye and heart, causing him to become cold-hearted and selfish. He gradually distances himself from Gerda and eventually disappears altogether.

Upon learning from a wise old woman that Kai has been abducted by the Snow Queen, Gerda decides to rescue him. She sets out on a journey to the Snow Queen's palace, facing various obstacles and meeting different characters along the way. She encounters a talking crow, a group of robbers, and a sorceress who makes flowers come alive.

Despite the challenges, Gerda remains determined to rescue Kai. Her perseverance and kind heart eventually thaw Kai's frozen heart, and the two return home together.

One of the standout features of The Snow Queen is its stunning animation. The movie was made using a technique called multiplane animation, which involves layering multiple images on top of each other to create a sense of depth and perspective. This technique was revolutionary at the time and helped make the movie a visual masterpiece.

Another notable aspect of the film is its music. The Snow Queen features an original score by composer Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov, who also wrote the music for the famous orchestral suite Scheherazade. The music in The Snow Queen is lively and whimsical, complementing the movie's fantastical elements.

The voice acting in the movie is also impressive. Vladimir Gribkov gives a memorable performance as the mischievous and impulsive Kai, while Yanina Zheymo brings warmth and sincerity to the role of Gerda. Anna Komolova's distinct voice lends itself well to the character of the Snow Queen, who is cold and aloof.

Overall, The Snow Queen is a charming and visually stunning movie that captures the magic and wonder of Andersen's fairy tale. Its timeless themes of friendship, perseverance, and love continue to resonate with audiences today, making it a classic that stands the test of time.

The Snow Queen is a 1957 animated movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 4 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.5.